Ranking Steve Nash Among the Top 10 Players in Phoenix Suns History

As you all know by now, Steve Nash is now a Los Angeles Laker. That means it's fair game to look at how he stacks up compared to other Phoenix greats.

The unique thing with Nash is his impact can not be adequately measured solely by stats or the success of the team. He transcended those numbers with his ability to control the rock from start to finish and make everyone around him better. You just can't put that in a stat sheet.

But does that make him a top Phoenix Sun player of all time? It certainly does.

Read on to see where Steve Nash ranks among the top 10 players in franchise history and if he can top players like Kevin Johnson, Charles Barkley and Walter Davis.

No. 9: Larry Nance

Larry Nance played his first six-and-a-half seasons with the Phoenix Suns and will forever be remembered as the winner of the first NBA Slam Dunk contest in 1984.

Nance was known primarily as a dunker, but his all-around skills made him an All-Star in 1985. Nance is top 10 in Phoenix history in points, rebounds, blocks, steals, minutes played and field goals made.

No. 8: Amar'e Stoudemire

Along with Steve Nash, Amar'e Stoudemire was a huge part of the team's success in the past decade.

Stoudemire came straight out of high school to take the NBA by storm and lead the Suns for almost a decade.

He's instantly connected to a memorable era of Suns basketball that included the "seven seconds or less offense" and a couple of deep playoff runs in Phoenix.

Stoudemire's powerful dunks and mid-range jumper made him a matchup nightmare for opposing defenses and a top scorer in the NBA.

Amar'e's eight years with the franchise were widely successful, and he produced a ton of stats. Stoudemire is top 10 in franchise history in points, rebounds, blocks, minutes played, games played, field goals made and field goal percentage.

In short, Amar'e Stoudemire was a fundamental part of the team's success in the 21st century.

No. 5: Alvan Adams

Quick, who's second in Phoenix Suns history in scoring? If you guessed Amar'e Stoudemire, Kevin Johnson or even Shawn Marion, you are wrong.

The answer is Alvan Adams, who scored 13,910 points as a Phoenix Sun.

Adams played his entire 13-year career in Phoenix and really established himself with his skill on the blocks. He finished top five in franchise history in points, rebounds, blocks, steals, assists, field goals made and minutes played.

In addition, Adams played in Game 5 of the 1976 NBA Finals in what is widely considered to be one of the greatest games in NBA history.

No. 4: Charles Barkley

Charles Barkley is one of the best players in NBA history, let alone Phoenix Suns history, and made a forever lasting impact on the franchise.

Barkley played a mere four seasons in the valley of the sun, but made huge strides on the team.

His four seasons produced four All-Star appearances, an NBA MVP award, a trip to the NBA Finals and the best regular season record in franchise history (62-20).

Barkley's rebounding and scoring prowess made him extremely difficult to gameplan against, and his swagger helped lift the team to new heights.

It would have been interesting to see the stats Barkley could have put up had he been a Sun for the majority of his career. He probably would have been top five in almost every major statistical category.

No. 2: Kevin Johnson

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Kevin Johnson is one of, if not the most, liked player in franchise history and a member of the Ring of Honor.

Johnson won Most Improved Player in his first full season with the Suns and never looked back from there. His tenacity and will to win fueled the team for 11-and-a-half seasons, leading to playoff berths in every season but his first with the team.

His signature moment with the Suns came with his huge dunk on Hakeem Olajuwon in the 1994 playoffs.

If not for the next guy on the list, Johnson would be considered the best point guard in franchise history, as he's top five in team history in points, assists, steals, field goals made, minutes played and games played.

No. 1: Steve Nash

Steve Nash is simply the best player to have ever played in a Phoenix Suns uniform. Period.

It's so easy to forget how truly dominant Nash was in his tenure in Phoenix because he's never been a high-flying dunker or someone who puts up big scoring numbers.

But that was the beauty of Steve Nash, he didn't need scoring to define him. Although, he showed the ability to score when called upon.

Nash is the best passer in Phoenix Suns history and is already a top-five assists man in NBA history with 9,916 career assists. Not only did his passes lead to baskets for his teammates, they also led to big contracts for them.

Not only was Nash a top-flight passer, he really became an all-around player throughout his career.

Nash is top 10 in Phoenix history in points, assists, steals, games played, three-pointers made, field goals made and free-throw percentage.

Toss in his two MVP seasons and numerous playoff runs with the Suns, and there should be no question about who is the greatest Phoenix Suns player of all time.